Major Events of January 1921: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from January 1921 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of January 1921: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Jan 1921 Establishment of the Irish Free State: The Irish Free State was formally established, marking the end of the Irish War of Independence and representing a significant milestone in Ireland's journey towards independence from British rule. This event signaled a new era of self-governance for Ireland and reshaped the political landscape of the British Isles.
02 Jan 1921 First Religious Radio Broadcast in the United States: On January 2, 1921, KDKA AM in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, made history by broadcasting the first religious radio service, specifically the Sunday service of Calvary Episcopal Church. This groundbreaking event marked a significant milestone in the intersection of technology and religious communication.
03 Jan 1921 Treaty of Peace between Turkey and Armenia: In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Turkey and Armenia signed a peace treaty, marking a crucial moment in resolving tensions between the two nations following the tumultuous aftermath of World War I and the Armenian Genocide.
04 Jan 1921 Eugene O'Neill's "Diff'rent" Premieres: Eugene O'Neill's groundbreaking two-act drama "Diff'rent" makes its debut at a prominent New York City theater, marking another significant milestone in the playwright's early career. The play explores complex human relationships and psychological themes typical of O'Neill's innovative dramatic style, challenging contemporary theatrical conventions of the early 1920s.
05 Jan 1921 New York City Traffic Regulation Revolution: New York City implemented groundbreaking street traffic regulations, transforming urban mobility management. At 7:00 PM, the city introduced a radical change by making Broadway and Seventh Avenue through Times Square northbound-only during theater hours. This innovative traffic control affected approximately 40,000 automobiles nightly, representing a significant advancement in urban traffic management.
06 Jan 1921 First Battle of İnönü in Greco-Turkish War: The First Battle of İnönü commenced on January 6, 1921, representing the initial military engagement between the newly organized Army of the Grand National Assembly and Greek troops during the Greco-Turkish War, a critical conflict in the Turkish War of Independence.
07 Jan 1921 First Woman Legislative Leader in North America: Mary Ellen Smith of Vancouver made history on January 7, 1921, by becoming the first woman elected as Speaker of the British Columbia House of Assembly. Her groundbreaking achievement marked a significant milestone for women's political representation in North America and the British Empire, breaking gender barriers in legislative leadership.
08 Jan 1921 Germany's Rhine River Fleet Partially Assigned to France: In a significant post-World War I arbitration decision, Walker D. Hines, an American arbitrator, assigned 13.5 percent of Germany's Rhine river fleet of barges and tugs to France as part of the war reparations and territorial adjustments following the Treaty of Versailles.
09 Jan 1921 First Battle of İnönü in Greco-Turkish War: The First Battle of İnönü marked the initial military engagement of the Greco-Turkish War, taking place near Eskişehir in Anatolia. This battle was a significant early confrontation between Greek and Turkish forces during the Turkish War of Independence, which would ultimately reshape the geopolitical landscape of the region.
10 Jan 1921 Arkansas Petroleum Production Begins: The Busey Well No. 1 was completed in Arkansas, marking the historic start of petroleum production in the state. This milestone event signaled the beginning of Arkansas's oil industry, which would play a significant role in the state's economic development throughout the 20th century.
11 Jan 1921 Land Rights Riots Near Allahabad: In January 1921, tensions escalated in towns surrounding Allahabad, British India, as local communities engaged in violent protests over land occupation rights and social hierarchy. The unrest became so severe that British colonial authorities were compelled to deploy military troops to restore order and suppress the riots.
12 Jan 1921 First Commissioner of Baseball Appointed: Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis is elected as the first commissioner of Major League Baseball, a pivotal moment in the sport's history aimed at restoring public trust and integrity following the infamous Black Sox Scandal of 1919.
13 Jan 1921 First Indian Council Established Under British Rule: On January 13, 1921, the British colonial administration established the first of the new Indian Councils, which provided limited advisory roles to native Indians in the governance of British India. This marked a small but significant step towards increased Indian participation in their own administrative processes, reflecting gradual political reforms during the late colonial period.
14 Jan 1921 Navy Lieutenants Rescued After Crash Landing: U.S. Navy Lieutenants Louis A. Kloor, Jr., Stephen A. Farrell, and Walter Hinton were successfully located and rescued after being missing following a crash landing approximately 20 miles north of Moose Factory, Ontario. Their survival and recovery marked a significant moment in early 20th-century aviation exploration and military resilience.
15 Jan 1921 Mitsubishi Electric Establishes Independence: On January 15, 1921, Mitsubishi Electric formally separated from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, marking a significant moment in Japanese industrial history. This strategic division allowed the newly independent company to focus specifically on electronics and electrical engineering, setting the stage for its future as a global technology and manufacturing leader. The separation represented a pivotal moment of corporate restructuring that would enable Mitsubishi Electric to develop its own distinct technological and business trajectory.
16 Jan 1921 Eleftherios Venizelos Returns as Greek Prime Minister: Eleftherios Venizelos, a prominent Greek statesman, assumes the role of Prime Minister for the fourth time. Known for his significant political influence and pro-Western orientation, Venizelos continues to play a crucial role in shaping Greece's political landscape during the early 20th century.
17 Jan 1921 Harry Houdini Performs 'The Vanishing Elephant' Illusion: On January 17, 1921, legendary magician Harry Houdini made history by performing the first recorded public demonstration of his groundbreaking illusion, 'The Vanishing Elephant'. This performance was a milestone in the world of stage magic, showcasing Houdini's extraordinary skill in creating seemingly impossible visual spectacles that captivated audiences and pushed the boundaries of theatrical illusion.
18 Jan 1921 Union Station Robbery in Chicago: A daring robbery occurred at Chicago's Union Station, where criminals successfully stole $462,000 in bonds and cash from a mail train. This audacious heist highlighted the security vulnerabilities of transportation infrastructure during the early Prohibition era and became a notable criminal incident of 1921.
19 Jan 1921 Central American Nations Pact of Union: On January 19, 1921, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador signed a historic Pact of Union, aiming to create a unified political and economic framework for the region. This diplomatic agreement sought to strengthen regional cooperation and potentially establish a more integrated Central American republic.
20 Jan 1921 Establishment of Modern Turkey: The Republic of Turkey was declared, emerging from the remnants of the Ottoman Empire, marking a pivotal moment in the transformation of the region's political landscape and the birth of a new nation-state.
21 Jan 1921 Charlie Chaplin's 'The Kid' Film Premiere: Charlie Chaplin's groundbreaking silent comedy-drama film 'The Kid' made its debut, marking a significant milestone in early cinema. The film, which Chaplin both wrote and starred in, tells the poignant story of a tramp who finds and raises an abandoned child. This movie was revolutionary for its time, blending comedy with deep emotional storytelling and showcasing Chaplin's exceptional talent as a filmmaker and performer. The film starred Chaplin alongside child actor Jackie Coogan and became a critical and commercial success, helping to establish Chaplin as one of the most important figures in early 20th-century cinema.
22 Jan 1921 Andy Ganteaume: Unique Cricket Achievement: Andy Ganteaume, a West Indies cricket player, achieved a remarkable and rare feat in cricket history. In his sole Test innings in 1948, he scored an impressive 112 runs, making him one of the few cricketers to score a century in their only Test match appearance. This unique statistical anomaly highlights the unpredictable and fascinating nature of cricket.
23 Jan 1921 Akron Pros Play Postseason Game in Early NFL History: The Akron Pros, defending champions of the American Professional Football Association (the precursor to the National Football League), participated in a notable postseason game on January 23, 1921. This event was significant in the early development of professional American football, highlighting the emerging organizational structure and competitive nature of the sport during the 1920s.
24 Jan 1921 Paris Conference on World War I Reparations: The Paris Conference of January 24, 1921, was a critical diplomatic gathering focused on determining the financial compensation Germany would be required to pay to the Allied Powers following World War I. This conference was part of the broader post-war negotiations that sought to establish economic accountability and rebuild European geopolitical relations after the devastating conflict.
25 Jan 1921 Karel Čapek's "R.U.R." Premieres in Prague: Karel Čapek's groundbreaking science fiction play "R.U.R." (Rossum's Universal Robots) premiered in Prague, introducing the word "robot" to the world. The play explores themes of artificial intelligence, humanity, and the potential consequences of technological creation, marking a significant moment in theatrical and science fiction history.
26 Jan 1921 Sweden Grants Women's Suffrage: The Swedish parliament (Riksdag) passed a landmark amendment granting women the right to vote, a significant milestone in the country's democratic evolution and women's rights movement.
27 Jan 1921 Birth of Donna Reed, Acclaimed Hollywood Actress: Donna Reed was born in Denison, Iowa. She would later become a renowned actress, famously starring in classic films like 'From Here to Eternity' and 'It's a Wonderful Life', earning an Academy Award and becoming an iconic figure in mid-20th century American cinema.
28 Jan 1921 Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Installed in Paris: On January 28, 1921, a deeply symbolic and poignant memorial was established beneath the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, honoring the countless unidentified soldiers who sacrificed their lives during World War I. This monument serves as a powerful tribute to the anonymous heroes who perished in the conflict, representing the collective grief and remembrance of a nation traumatized by the war.
29 Jan 1921 Mustafa Ben Halim Birth: Mustafa Ben Halim, who would later become a prominent Libyan political figure and serve as Prime Minister, was born. He lived until 2021, contributing significantly to Libya's political landscape in the mid-20th century.
30 Jan 1921 Henri Désiré Landru Sentenced to Death: French serial killer Henri Désiré Landru was sentenced to death for murdering multiple women during the early 20th century. Known as the 'Bluebeard of Paris', Landru was convicted of killing at least 11 women and one boy between 1915 and 1919, often targeting widows through matrimonial advertisements.
31 Jan 1921 Carol Channing Birth: Carol Channing was born in Seattle, Washington. She would become a legendary Broadway and film actress, most famous for her iconic roles in 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' and 'Hello, Dolly!', and is remembered as one of the most distinctive performers of her generation.